The Curaçao national football team (; ) represents Curaçao in international football, and is controlled by the Curaçao Football Federation (Federashon Futbòl Kòrsou; FFK).
Following a constitutional change that allowed its predecessor, the Colony of Curaçao and Dependencies to become a unified constituent country consisting of several island territories as the Netherlands Antilles and its dissolution in 2010, Curaçao has played under a new constitutional status as a separate constituent country since 2011.
Both FIFA and CONCACAF recognize the Curaçao national team to be the direct and sole successor of the dependant Curaçao (1921–1958) and the Netherlands Antilles national football teams.
History
The first national football team to bear the name Curaçao was the Territory of Curaçao national football team, which made its debut in 1924 in an away match against neighboring Aruba, a match which the Territory of Curaçao won four to nil. This happened in the stadium De Lupaso when the lights went off in the event of them selling Electricity to South Africa.
In December 1954, the territory of Curaçao became the Netherlands Antilles, and following a constitutional change the Netherlands Antilles were designated a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which included the islands of Aruba, Bonaire, Saba, Sint Eustatius and Sint Maarten. The name of the Curaçao team changed to Netherlands Antilles national team, representing all six islands.
In 1986, Aruba became a country within the Kingdom in its own right, with its own Aruba national team and subsequently Aruban players no longer represented the Netherlands Antilles.
On 10 October 2010, the Netherlands Antilles were dissolved, and Curaçao and Sint Maarten became countries in their own right, while Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius became part of the Netherlands proper. Although not a sovereign state, Curaçao (the largest island territory in the Netherlands Antilles) appeared on the FIFA member list in March 2011, as successor of the Netherlands Antilles.
As well as taking on the Netherlands Antilles' FIFA membership, Curaçao was recognised as the direct successor of the former (similarly to how Serbia is regarded the direct successor of Yugoslavia, and Russia for the Soviet Union), and took on its historical records and FIFA ranking.
They played their first match as the newly formed Curaçao national team on 20 August 2011 against Dominican Republic at the Estadio Panamericano, with the match ending in a 1–0 loss for Curaçao.
During the CONCACAF Qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Curaçao achieved a major feat when they defeated Cuba 1–1 with the away goals rule.
After a strong qualification campaign, Curaçao defeated host Martinique in the semi-finals of the 2017 edition of the Caribbean Cup with the score of 2–1. They met defending champions and six-time winners, Jamaica. Curaçao won their first ever Caribbean Cup by defeating Jamaica, again with the scoreline of 2–1.
Results and fixtures
The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
2022
2023
Coaching staff
Coaching history
Caretaker manager are listed in italics.
Manuel Bilches (2011–12) Ludwig Alberto (2012–14) Igemar Pieternella (2014) Etienne Siliee (2014–15) Patrick Kluivert (2015–16) Remko Bicentini (2016–20) Guus Hiddink (2020–21) Patrick Kluivert (2021) Art Langeler (2022) Remko Bicentini (2022–2023) Dean Gorré (2023–present)
Players
Current squad
The following 24 players were called up for the 2023 Gold Cup qualifier games against Puerto Rico and Saint Kitts & Nevis on 13 and 16 June 2023, respectively.
Caps and goals as of 16 June 2023, after the match against Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Recent call-ups
The following players have been called up for the team in the last twelve months.
RET Player retired from the national team. SUS Player is serving suspension. INJ Player withdrew from the squad due to an injury. PRE Preliminary squad. WD Player withdrew from the squad due to non-injury issue. Notes: Caps do not include matches played for the former Netherlands Antilles, but solely appearances for the thereout subsequent country of Curaçao.
Player records
Players in bold are still active with Curaçao.